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Sun Belt Conference welcomes new members, says goodbye to others

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Georgia State and Sun Belt officials pose for a photograph recently, signifying the school joining the league. Pictured above, left to right, are GSU director of athletics Cheryl L. Levick, GSU president Mark P. Becker, Sun Belt president Jack Hawkins of Troy University and Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson along with the GSU mascot. (Photo courtesy of Georgia State University).

Monday, North Texas, Middle Tennessee, Florida Atlantic and Florida International officially left the conference to join Conference USA and the Sun Belt officially welcomed in Texas State, Georgia State and Texas-Arlington.

Western Kentucky is one year away from joining the four departing schools in C-USA and the Sun Belt is a year away from welcoming Idaho and New Mexico State as football-only members and Georgia Southern and Appalachian State as new members in the league. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have to complete a two-year transition from Football Championship Subdivision status to Football Bowl Subdivision membership.

One almost needs a scorecard to keep up with all the official changes taking place in terms of conference realignment today, and observers warn even more changes are likely ahead.

"We have been anticipating this day for quite some time," Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson said in a statement released by the league today. "A lot of hard work has been put in by the administrators around the Sun Belt and at these three institutions. It is very rewarding to see that hard work pay off.

"And while we take a moment to reflect on the process that has gotten us here, we also take focus on what this day means for us moving forward. There is no longer any time to look in the rearview mirror. With the membership that is joining us today, and the membership that will join us on July 1, 2014, we know that this conference will continue to rise in all aspects and our future is unquestionably bright."

With the changes, the Sun Belt becomes a 10-team league this year with eight of the schools -- South Alabama, Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Georgia State and Texas State -- competing for the football crown. Arkansas-Little Rock and Texas-Arlington are members but do not field teams in football.

Recently, the league unveiled its new logo and brand which was a year in development. The slogan adopted by the league is "Together We Rise.''

"Our official entry into the Sun Belt Conference is another milestone in the upward trajectory of Georgia State University,'' Georgia State president Mark P. Becker said. "We look forward to a high level of competition in all sports and the development of intense rivalries that we hope engender increased pride, interest and involvement among our alumni, students, faculty and staff."

Georgia State director of athletics Cheryl L. Levick said, "This is an exciting day for Georgia State University, the athletic department and its students, alumni and fans. The Sun Belt Conference is a great conference and commissioner Karl Benson has a strong vision for its future.

"We look forward to playing a leadership role in the growth of the Sun Belt and to developing regional rivalries with the league schools close to Atlanta. With the conference transition now complete, our focus will turn to a successful move into FBS football and to winning as many Sun Belt championships as possible."

Texas State. located on San Marcos (between A San Antonio), currently consists of 16 varsity programs including the football team coached by Dennis Franchione. The Bobcats began their first season at the FBS level in 2012. The list of sports includes football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, softball, women's soccer, women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball.

"Texas State's entry into the Sun Belt represents a major milestone for our intercollegiate athletics program,'' president Denise M. Trauth said. "We look forward to exciting new rivalries with the other Sun Belt schools."

Director of athletics Larry Teis added, "We are very excited to join the Sun Belt Conference. If you look at their success the past few years, the league has improved tremendously in all areas. Last season they had four bowl teams in football and recently four teams played in the NCAA post-season baseball tournament. Geographically, we are also in a conference with two teams from Texas, two from Arkansas, and two from Louisiana. Teams in the East are also nice places for our fans to visit and provide us additional regions to recruit quality student-athletes.''

UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, is the sixth-largest institution in the state of Texas and is the 33rd largest institution in the United States. UTA athletics currently competes in 14 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level -- baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball.

President Vistasp M. Karbhari said, "We are honored and excited to join the Sun Belt Conference. I believe this represents an extraordinary opportunity for UT Arlington to continue on its journey to even greater athletic excellence. This is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes."

"This is another watershed moment for our institution and athletic department. Our move to the Sun Belt Conference promotes stability in a regional conference with like-minded universities, while providing our student-athletes and coaches competition at the highest levels,'' director of athletics Jim Baker said.